Koshas

When we talk about healing and mental health, we often focus on the mind—thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. But in truth, we are so much more than just our minds. We are beings made up of body, energy, intellect, emotions, and spirit. In my work as a holistic therapist, I often use the framework of the koshas to help clients reconnect with their whole selves.

So, what are the koshas?

The word kosha comes from ancient yogic philosophy and means “sheath” or “layer.” You can think of the koshas like layers of an onion—or like the layers of your being, from the outermost physical body to the innermost core of who you are. Each layer influences your overall well-being, and healing can happen more fully when we work with all of them together.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the five koshas:

1. Annamaya Kosha — The Physical Body

This is your outermost layer—your muscles, bones, skin, and organs. It’s nourished by food, movement, rest, and physical care. In therapy, we may explore how physical health and habits affect your mood, energy, and overall resilience.

Therapeutic lens: I use somatic (body-based) approaches to help you tune into physical sensations, release stored tension, and feel more grounded in your body.

2. Pranamaya Kosha — The Energy Body

This layer is all about your life force—your breath, vitality, and emotional energy. Breathwork, sleep, and emotional regulation all live here.

Therapeutic lens: We might explore breathing techniques, energy awareness, or mindfulness practices to help you restore balance and regulate stress.

3. Manomaya Kosha — The Mental/Emotional Body

This is the layer of thoughts, emotions, and patterns—your inner dialogue and how you respond to the world. Most traditional talk therapy starts here.

Therapeutic lens: I help you identify thought patterns, emotional triggers, and belief systems that may be holding you back or keeping you stuck.

4. Vijnanamaya Kosha — The Wisdom Body

This is your intuition, inner knowing, and sense of discernment. It’s where insight, values, and personal truth reside.

Therapeutic lens: Together, we work to strengthen your self-awareness, align with your values, and make choices that reflect your authentic self.

5. Anandamaya Kosha — The Bliss Body

At the center of it all is this quiet, peaceful space within you—the part untouched by trauma or stress. It’s your inner essence, your connection to something greater, whatever that means for you.

Therapeutic lens: Whether through moments of stillness, creativity, or connection, I help you access this deeper layer to find clarity, meaning, and joy.

How I Use the Koshas in Therapy

Using the koshas, we don’t just focus on one part of you—we gently explore all the layers. Some days we may talk through difficult emotions. Other days we might use breathwork, mindfulness, or body awareness to access healing in a deeper way. This holistic approach allows us to honor the full range of your experience and support you as a whole person—not just a set of symptoms.

You don’t need to be spiritual or know anything about yoga to benefit from this approach. The koshas simply give us a map—a way to understand how your different layers interact and how healing can ripple across all of them.

If you're ready to reconnect with yourself on every level—body, mind, energy, and spirit—I’d be honored to support you on your journey.